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Prepare, Plan &

PerformHow to support your apprentices

during End-Point Assessment

Kit Salt, EPA Manager,

SFJ Awards

Do you know someone who has started an

apprenticeship?

Yes, they enjoyed it

Yes, they stayed on with their employer

No, but I’d like to know more about them

Yes, me!

Outline of Webinar

Panel Discussion and

Q&A from Audience

EPA at Merseyside

FRSAshley Roberts, Apprenticeship

Manager Merseyside FRS

During your End –Point

Assessment Alan Fletcher, Independent

Assessor

Before your End-Point

AssessmentSteve Fealy, Independent

Assessor

Summary and overview

Kit Salt – EPA Manager, SFJ

Awards

Early Engagement with SFJ Awards

Customer Engagement Site visits Information sessions with Apprentices

These findings are shared with the IAs

Need another visit? Just ask!

The Team Approach

Who is involved? If using a separate

training provider –talent coach?

Watch managers?

How we can work together from the

start to support the apprentice?

Focus must always be on the

apprentice.

• Embedding preparation for EPA into the design of your on-programme training

• Give apprentices confidence to perform without constant supervision during the practical

• Professional discussion – be able to explain "why" they have done something and "what" the impact was

• Portfolio evidence

Effective use of the on-programme training

3.Submit a portfolio of

showcase evidence to underpin the

Professional Discussion, Without this they

should not progress through Gateway.)

2. Have they achieved level 2 minimum in Maths and English?

1. Are they working at or

above the occupational

standard?

GatewayAre they ready?

The 3 requirements for Gateway:

Multi-Choice Knowledge Test

Use mock test in exam conditionsMulti-Choice Test Criteria

60 Minutes

30 questions

18/30

24/30

Paper based or Online

Practical AssessmentManage expectations

• Facilitator / Incident Commander must not be known to them

• Will need representation from host FRS to confirm procedures and safe working practices.

• Assessed as an individual working in a team environment, the natural environment for a firefighter

• Assessed on host FRS site, using equipment, environment and procedures familiar to the Apprentice

• 1:1 Q&A after each task• Mistakes will be made

1 full day

3 key tasks

Criteria need to be evidence across all 3 tasks

1:4 ratio

Independent Facilitator/ IC

Practical AssessmentManage expectations – the tasks

1. Search and Rescue within a structure using firefighting

equipment – Breathing Apparatus task with a

demonstration of compartment firefighting

branch techniques. This task will also incorporate simple working at height. Then 1:1

Q&A

2. Extrication of casualties from a situation of

entrapment – could be anything, but to recognise

the diversity of service provision across the country,

most likely to be a road traffic collision (RTC). Then

1:1 Q&A

3. Resolve a small spillage of hazardous material &

perform initial decontamination with

resources from front line pumps only, including MDTs. Unless specifically requested, this will not involve gas tight

suits due to logistics and timings required, but it has

been done and is possible. Then 1:1 Q&A

Professional DiscussionPreparation and ownership

• What is a professional discussion?• Starts at the beginning – the portfolio• Apprentice selects showcase evidence for their PD• Evidence is provided to SFJA via Ace360. If this is a

folder of documents or a link to OneFile, Smart Assessor etc., use the PD declaration form to index the evidence and its location. Some use 1 Word document to capture evidence for the 14 KSBs in the 8 discussion areas.

• IA uses the evidence selected by the Apprentice for that individual's PD, to discuss the areas known to the Apprentice.

• The importance of providing evidence against all KSBs.• Practice, prepare & own

Supporting Your Apprentices Through The End Point Assessment

What happens on the day?• Arrival of the End Point Assessment Team• Briefing of support staff/facilitators• Briefing of apprentices• Assessment scenarios begin• 3 x 2 hour scenarios• Apprentices briefed by the facilitator• Apprentices then complete the tasks.• Performance is observed and recorded by the

Independent Assessors

Practical Assessment

Brief and Supervise Facilitator briefing card Allow apprentices to conduct

the tasks Should not influence the

performance Only step in for points of

immediate safety critical danger

Practical AssessmentFacilitator Role

Your support staff role Set up exercises Ensure Apprentices are in the

right place at the right time Good working relationship with

assessment team Do not influence apprentice

performance.

Practical Assessment

Appliances & Equipment Communication is Key Appliances stocked as per

resource list and equipment tested ready for use.

Avoidable delays... Risk Assessments, access, site

limitations.

Practical Assessment

Practical Assessment• Slide 20

• AF7

• So just to summarise points on the Practical assessment prior to moving on.

• Apprentices will be nervous and anxious about the end point assessment and what will be required of them.

•

• Keep apprentices informed and supported by -

• Ensuring that Apprentices have plenty of notification of their EPA and that they are fully informed and supported in their preparation.

• The apprentices need to be at the briefing point at the time stated on the booking form with their PPE with them,

• Equipment checks and any familiarisation with stowage completed prior to the brief.

• The Practical Assessment day is a long day of demanding activity.

• Apprentices should be aware of this and have suitable welfare facilities to be able to stay fully fueled, hydrated and prepared for the activities. They will have a short break between the tasks, plus a lunch break.

• You should ensure Apprentices are where they need to be, in appropriate PPE and in good time prior to the activities starting.

•

• Remember that there are many factors that can be detrimental to their confidence.

• Do not put undue pressure on candidates with comments on performance, expectations, body language etc

• Avoid prying eyes from people not involved in the process.

• Try to keep apprentices calm. If they think they have made a mistake, encourage them to calm down and carry on.

•

• All of these points I have covered should help us all to hit the ground running for an effective Practical Observation day.

• I will now briefly mention some factors for the professional discussion and the Knowledge test……

Nervous and anxious

Keep apprentices informed and supported

Apprentice Briefing

Equipment Checked/ Familiarised

Long, physically demanding day

Welfare facilities

Factors affecting performance..

Two way discussion

Based upon evidence and

activities recorded in the portfolio

Professional Discussion

on

Private Room Internet accessTimekeepingApprentice waiting room.Nerves

Professional Discussion

Face to Face Requirements Remote Discussion Requirements

Private Room for the apprenticeNo training or aide memoirsInternet access, reliableLink emailed to apprenticeVirtual waiting room

Key Points to Consider

Relax Mock TestsTake time to

read questions fully

Apply thought, consideration

and logic

No Red Herrings in the

Test

The Knowledge Test

Ashley Roberts

Apprenticeship Manager

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service

Please put your questions into the Q&A Feed

“SFJ Awards have been a great support in preparation for our first EPAs and incredibly flexible in what has been a constantly changing situation for everyone this year, truly working with us to resolve a wide range of

queries. It has been reassuring to have their support and expertise throughout the EPA process”

“ it was as close to the real thing as an

assessment could get”

"the apprenticeship journey has helped me grow and

develop as a firefighter and as a person”

0114 284 1970

epa@sfjawards.com

www.sfjawards.com

See you next time!Get in touch to find out how we can support you and your apprentices now and in the future.